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Mentor Requirements
Your Role
- Role Model: be a example of professional excellence
- Encourager: give positive feedback and professional support
- Counselor: be open for discussion on career issues
- Colleague: help mentee feel their value within the profession
Qualifications
- Be an NDLA member
- Worked in a professional library position(s) for a minimum of 5 years
- Hold an MLIS degree (or equivalent – school library teaching credential, MSIS, MLS, etc.)
- Commit 1 year to the program
- Be open to all viewpoints and career goals
- Be a good listener
- Desire to support and guide those that are new to the librarian profession
How to begin
- Complete an application (attach your resume)
- Initiate contact with mentee
- Contact your mentee a minimum of one time per month
- Provide feedback and suggestions based on professional development goals that your mentee shares with you
Guidelines
- Make the initial contact with the mentee
- Focus on your mentees strengths, goals, and struggles in his/her profession
- Ask questions and provide support based on the information shared with you
- Don’t be critical or negative – everyone has different experiences and priorities
- Work with the mentees to set career goals and objectives
- Contact may be made in-person, by phone, email, or web-conferencing (Skype, Google Hangout, etc.)
- Keep all conversations between you and your mentee confidential as appropriate
- Contact Jesse Leraas ([email protected]) if you encounter any problems
- Complete a feedback form in order to provide information on the program